Correct F30 TPM sensor

RoundelM3 · 12-20-2014, 09:56 AM

I recently fitted my car with some aftermarket wheels and decided to buy additional TPM sensors instead of using the OEM sensors from my original wheels. The sensors I received, which had the correct part number, didn't work, and I ended up having to use the OEM sensors after all. I would get a "TPMS Malfunction" error on iDrive after driving 50 feet, which would then go away and show all systems OK, but come up again every time the car was turned off and restarted. The "Reset" function for TPMS would sometimes work, sometimes not. After replacing the new sensors with the OEMs, all was back to normal.

The sensors I received were orange, and were the same shape as the OEMs, which were black. I did some research and found that the correct sensor to buy for any F30 with production date up to 4/2014 is the one shown below. I found this on tpms dot com, although it is probably available from any number of suppliers. I'm mentioning this because I ended up spending an entire day getting a diagnosis confirmation from BMW, then hauling my OEM wheels/tires back to the tire shop and having the sensors swapped out into my new wheels, with both actions costing me additional $$. Fortunately, my wheel supplier stepped up and covered the expense and I provided the info for them to update their website with the correct part. If your production date is 4/2014 or later, there is a different TPM sensor required, as the entire TPM system was changed beginning with that production run. Since many of you may be considering winter wheels/tires or aftermarket wheels, I thought this would help everyone avoid some confusion.

bavarianx · 12-30-2014, 06:23 PM

correct, and that new BMW sensor is made by VDO. Purchasing the OEM VDO sensor will save some dollars.

bmwauug · 12-30-2014, 09:42 PM

Yep. Had the same issue and had to swap for the latest sensors (from the previous f30 oem version). There's a thread on this that does a good job explains the nuances.

edkato · 01-19-2015, 02:39 PM

This was a big help...thanks for posting the info!

tboooe · 01-19-2015, 02:45 PM

Yup found this out the hard way when I purchased some wheels from a MY14 F32 (Production date 10/13) for my MY15 F36. I assumed (incorrectly) that the TPMS for all 4 series would be compatible.

RoundelM3 · 01-20-2015, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edkato

This was a big help...thanks for posting the info!

Y'all are welcome!

12-20-2014, 09:56 AM	#1
RoundelM3 Major General 1840 Rep 6,992 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Correct F30 TPM sensor I recently fitted my car with some aftermarket wheels and decided to buy additional TPM sensors instead of using the OEM sensors from my original wheels. The sensors I received, which had the correct part number, didn't work, and I ended up having to use the OEM sensors after all. I would get a "TPMS Malfunction" error on iDrive after driving 50 feet, which would then go away and show all systems OK, but come up again every time the car was turned off and restarted. The "Reset" function for TPMS would sometimes work, sometimes not. After replacing the new sensors with the OEMs, all was back to normal. The sensors I received were orange, and were the same shape as the OEMs, which were black. I did some research and found that the correct sensor to buy for any F30 with production date up to 4/2014 is the one shown below. I found this on tpms dot com, although it is probably available from any number of suppliers. I'm mentioning this because I ended up spending an entire day getting a diagnosis confirmation from BMW, then hauling my OEM wheels/tires back to the tire shop and having the sensors swapped out into my new wheels, with both actions costing me additional $$. Fortunately, my wheel supplier stepped up and covered the expense and I provided the info for them to update their website with the correct part. If your production date is 4/2014 or later, there is a different TPM sensor required, as the entire TPM system was changed beginning with that production run. Since many of you may be considering winter wheels/tires or aftermarket wheels, I thought this would help everyone avoid some confusion. Attached Images __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey Last edited by RoundelM3; 12-20-2014 at 10:08 AM..
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12-30-2014, 06:23 PM	#2
bavarianx Colonel 224 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: 2006 X5 4.4i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (18)	correct, and that new BMW sensor is made by VDO. Purchasing the OEM VDO sensor will save some dollars.
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12-30-2014, 09:42 PM	#3
bmwauug Major 249 Rep 1,051 Posts Drives: 2023 X5MC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Almost There iTrader: (0)	Yep. Had the same issue and had to swap for the latest sensors (from the previous f30 oem version). There's a thread on this that does a good job explains the nuances. __________________ 2023 X5MC \| Donington Grey \| Black
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01-19-2015, 02:39 PM	#4
edkato Private 8 Rep 53 Posts Drives: E92 328ix '11; G42 ‘22 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Louisville iTrader: (0)	This was a big help...thanks for posting the info!
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01-19-2015, 02:45 PM	#5
tboooe Brigadier General 925 Rep 3,089 Posts Drives: F36 428i GC, E36 M3 - gone :( Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: The OC! iTrader: (1)	Yup found this out the hard way when I purchased some wheels from a MY14 F32 (Production date 10/13) for my MY15 F36. I assumed (incorrectly) that the TPMS for all 4 series would be compatible.
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